A South Brunswick man was arrested on Friday after trying to break into a car using a Tiki torch.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK -- A 24-year-old township man's unsuccessful attempt to use a Tiki torch to break into a car led to his arrest Friday morning.
At around 4:30 a.m., Alexander Allen allegedly took a Tiki torch from the back porch of a home on Dutchess Lane and tried to break into the car in the driveway to steal a purse, police said.
However, before he could break in, the homeowner -- who was alerted by a neighbor -- walked outside, prompting Allen to flee.
According to officials, about a half-hour earlier, Allen allegedly broke into a home on Georges Road in Dayton and stole a purse, three checkbooks, a wallet and a hospital identification card, police said.
When authorities arrived at the Dutchess Lane home, they noticed oil from the torch on the driveway. Police eventually spotted Allen at around 7:30 a.m. walking on Route 522. Police said his jacket was covered in oil stains from the torch.
Between the two incidents, officials also said Allen had stopped at a Coinstar Exchange at a Dayton Stop & Shop to deposit a sum of change he allegedly stole in a series of separate vehicle burglaries.
In a statement, South Brunswick police Chief Raymond Hayducka commended the neighbor who alerted the Dutchess Lane homeowner about Allen.
"This suspect was walking around in the middle of the night entering vehicles," Hayducka said. "This resident's phone call and the police response prevented an unknown number of residents from waking up and finding items stolen from their vehicles."
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.